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Section One: The Fundamentals
A) Keywords
Exercise 1:
Briefly (in 100 words or less) define one of the keywords in the padlet (including one that you. may have added yourself).
| Intersectionality is a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw that explains how different parts of a person’s identity; such as race, class, gender, sexuality, and ability, overlap and affect their experiences in society. Understanding intersectionality is important as it helps us understand how individuals can face varying forms of discrimination and privilege at the same time. For example, an Indigenous woman may face racial discrimination and gender-based violence at higher rates than non-Indigenous women. In Canada, Indigenous women experience various systemic barriers to healthcare, employment, and more, highlighting how multiple forms of oppression can coincide and impact one’s life in distinct ways.
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B) Representing Race
Exercise 2: Notebook Prompt
In about 50-70 words, consider Joel Bervell’s question: why do we feel the need to extrapolate the athleticism of one Black athlete to all Black people when we do not do the same for white athletes?
Try to think of examples when this happens, making sure to reflect on your own positionality.
| Joe Bervell’s question creates an important conversation surrounding the racial stereotypes that unreasonably generalize Black athleticism. There has been a historical and societal belief amongst various communities that deem Black athletes as ‘genetically gifted’, believing that all Black people have a natural ability to excel in sports. This is a problematic stance as it diminishes the efforts that these athletes put in; it is essentially a slap in the face to their training. It differs for White athletes as in media their successes are often accredited to their training and technique, not the colour of their skin. It is important for me as a White woman to understand these bias’s to fully acknowledge my perspective and privilege.
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C) Gender, Race & Sport
Exercise 3: Notebook Prompt
What are some strategies for resistance that Rajack and Joseph identify in their article as a means of pushing back against and resisting misogynoir?
| Razack and Joseph highlight several strategies for resistance against misogynoir in their article, a key strategy is self-representation through social media. Naomi Osaka is used as a primary example in the article for self-representation through social media as she uses platforms such as Instagram and Twitter to assert her identity as a Black and Haitian woman. Osaka’s prominent voice on social media allows her to counteract mainstream narratives that often deem her blackness invisible. With this, Razack and Joseph also present the potential of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to create counter-narratives and offer alternative representations, empowering voices that challenge sexist and racial discourses to materialize. Lastly, the authors also stress that critical engagement with media representation, through academic critique or public discourse, can help reshape narratives around athletes like Osaka and challenge systemic inequalities in sports media.
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Section Two: Making Connections
A) Athlete Activism
Exercise 3: Padlet Prompt
Do athletes have a responsibility to use their platform for social change? Why or why not? Please remember to record your response in both the padlet below and in your Notebook.
I don’t necessarily believe that athletes have a responsibility to speak about politics, but I do think that it is something important that they could use their platform for. Many believe that since athletes have such a large audience, they should utilize their platform to raise awareness, but whether they have a responsibility to do so is a complex question. Colin Kaepernick is a prime example of an athlete taking action when he took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality, his actions did inspire many but also led to serious backlash. On the other hand, there are individuals who believe that athletes do not have to engage in social change or political issues because their primary focus should be their sport. Overall, engagement in activism amongst athletes should be left as a personal decision rather than an expectation. There are other ways that athletes can help and inspire change, ways such as community involvement, work ethic, etc. As of now I stand quite neutral on the topic, but I also believe both sides are valid.
B) Athlete Activism & Feminism
Exercise 4: Complete the activities
Exercise 5: Notebook Prompt
What do the authors of the article call for as a way of challenging how mainstream sports journalism privileges neoliberal feminist concerns? (100 words max.)
| Cooky and Antunovic suggest a methodological shift in how stories about athlete activism and feminism are told, emphasizing an approach that surpasses conventional sports media narratives. They believe that there is a strong need for expanding the definition of ‘sports media’ as it should include all kinds of media that discuss sports, not just ones produced by traditional sports journalists/mainstream outlets.
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C) Corporate social justice
Exercise 6: Padlet Poll
| I believe that sports leagues bear a form of responsibility in supporting social justice movements such as Black Lives Matter (BLM) due to their cultural influence and power to shape public discourse. Many sports leagues employ marginalized athletes who are directly affected by systemic issues, therefore advocation from the leagues is crucial in showing support for their athletes. Change is created when one takes a stand, meaning that when leagues speak up, they are actively fighting racism injustices. For example, the NBA has shown mass support for BLM and in turn has helped raise awareness of racial inequality. Although public support is important, sports leagues must also aim to create proper systemic change, creating an environment where athletes feel comfortable discussing their experiences and beliefs instead of being silenced.
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Section Three: Taking a shot
Module Assignment (submit as part of notebook and separately through Blackboard mini assignment #1 portal)
